작년 북한 대외무역규모 전년대비 49% ↓... 지속되는 제재에 외화벌이 나서는 北<br /><br />A Recent Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency data shows Pyeongyang's 2018 trade volume was halved from a year prior, mainly due to international sanctions.<br />The regime is turning to its tourism sector to provide some needed relief.<br />Oh Jung-hee has the latest.<br />International sanctions are clearly taking a toll on North Korea's economy, slashing its trade down to half.<br />According to Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency's report on Friday, Pyeongyang's trade volume in 2018 shrank by a whopping 49-percent compared to the previous year.<br />Down for two consecutive years, the volume stood at 2-point-8 billion U.S. dollars, recording below 3 billion dollars for the first time since Kim Jong-un assumed power in 2012.<br />North Korea's exports dropped by 86-percent... and imports, by 31-percent.<br />The report cited three UN sanctions resolutions in place since 2017.<br />North Korea's exports of coal, iron and clothes are banned,... while the regime is not allowed to import industrial machines and equipment.<br />Because of these sanctions, the North became even more dependent on China for trade up to 96-percent.<br />But their bilateral trade shrank by over 48-percent last year as well,... which was another critical hit for the regime's overall trade.<br />As the North Korean economy faces a downturn and international sanctions remain solidly in place, Pyeongyang is turning its eyes to tour programs for a source of income.<br />North Korea's tour website DPRKorea Tour introduced sightseeing programs to Paekdu-san Mountain and cities like Pyeongyang and Gaeseong for foreigners.<br />The website also announced that a marathon event will take place in late September.<br />Earlier this month, the North promoted tours to Geumgang-san Mountain... and golf, bicycle and ski tours for people from China, Russia, Switzerland and Germany.<br />Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News.<br />
